{16}O_{6}(ONO_{2})_{4},
the penta- and hexa-nitro-starch. They are formed by acting upon potato
starch dried at 100° C. with a mixture of nitric and sulphuric acids at a
temperature of 20° to 25° C. Rice starch has also been used in its
production. Muhlhauer proposes to use this body as a smokeless powder, and
to nitrate it with the spent mixed acids from the manufacture of nitro-
glycerine. This substance contains from 10.96 to 11.09 per cent. of
nitrogen. It is a white substance, very stable and soluble even in cold
nitro-glycerine.

The explosive bodies formed by the nitration of jute have been studied by
Messrs Cross and Bevan. and also by Mühlhäuer. The former chemists give
jute the formula C_{12}H_{18}O_{9}, and believe that its conversion into a
nitro-compound takes place according to the equation--

Reviews

Once the archaic termanology including "funny" chemical foirmulas are understood. This is an historicaly ground breaking work. All the basic information as to manufacture, testing and safety of Nitro-compounds is here - still relivent todasy. For Industrial Achiologist or someone intrested in the history of chemical engineering this is a "must have" book simply for its host of illistrations.